Police have released images and photographs of the suspect, while calling on citizens to provide any information that may help identify and capture him.
In one of the videos released by authorities, the masked man is seen chasing a woman who was running down the street in the early hours of the morning. The incident occurred near Philadelphia City Hall at around 5:30 a.m. last Wednesday. According to police, the 40-year-old woman was chased by the suspect, who approached her with his cell phone and asked: “Are you ready to die?” After the woman did not react, he repeated the question. Frightened, she ran away, leaving her leg injured while trying to escape.
Another security camera footage shows the woman running down a five-lane road as the suspect chases her. Unable to catch up, he changes direction.
A witness, identified as Jameka, said she saw the suspect chasing the woman and tried to warn him.
“I started to greet her from the other side of the intersection and say, ‘Hey, there’s someone behind you – look behind you!’ She heard me and then started running,” she told local media.
According to her testimony, the suspect then attempted to force his way into a cafe, but after being denied entry, he turned his attention to her. The witness claims he attempted to attack her and then ran away.
Police have described the suspect as a black man, about 1.68 meters tall and aged 16 to 20 years old.
Investigators have released several photos showing him wearing a Chucky mask and a backpack with blue squares.
Authorities say the suspect harassed and threatened several people, laughing at the victims and asking them if they were “ready to die.” He faces charges of terroristic threats, harassment, assault, reckless endangerment and intimidation, while police are not ruling out other charges, including illegal possession of a weapon.